“Can you spar with me?” Zack asked, scratching his cheek.

I couldn’t help but rhetorically ask, “Do you understand what you’re saying? You’re asking a petite young lady, who is even younger than yourself, to fight you one on one. How is it any different from asking her to take a punch to the face? And do you know how valuable her face is to a woman?”

My eyes gave him a ‘are you okay?’ look, complementing the wry smile on my face.

He opened his mouth, about to say something. But I was a step quicker, cutting his words short.

“Just think of what you’re doing. And why you are doing it.”

He covered his face with his hand, at a loss for words.

I continued grilling him silently through my glare, to which he didn’t seem to notice, still lost in his own thoughts. A peculiar glint flashed through his eye for a few moments before vanishing.

It was something which I couldn’t quite make out. Even then, it left a deep enough impression to root itself in my mind. But me being who I am, I quickly dismissed it, choosing not to pry any further in fear of stepping on a ‘landmine’ or two in the process.

A quiet stillness spread through the surroundings. Having waited for a few moments, I turned to leave.

“Give Uncle my greetings.” Zack said, his tone awkwardly flat.

I heaved an inward sigh while glancing up at the sky, not stopping for a moment. While leaving, I left behind a monotonous reply: “Okay.”

My journey back home had nothing worth mentioning. However, my thoughts were another matter.

Why try so hard? Do you not realise that daddy would send you either way? And even if you didn’t, why ask a frail little girl like myself for something like sparring? That too after I took my time out to teach you. Is that gratitude? More like asking for two slaps and a kick to the shins. I gave you a hand and… and… you’re trying to grab my neck?! Just what the hell?!!

My grumbling throughout the way was unceasing. My frustration over the kid I left behind was uncanny. But deep down, I knew the reason — he resembled me after I lost mommy and daddy, and in more ways than one, to the point I couldn’t help but be reminded of my wretched self from back then.

With my gaze landing on the familiar door, I heaved a deep breath to clear my mind before entering. Looking around, I couldn’t see big brother or mommy anywhere. At the same time, my ears picked up on the occasional faint sounds of mommy getting angry before asking to perform the magic again.

With steps as light as feathers, I walked near the closed backyard door.

Through the door, I could faintly make out big brother grumbling before chanting the spell he was using again.

A snicker flashed through my face before I left for my room.

On the way, I saw dad in his own room, gazing at the sky outside through the window, without making a single noise as if he was asleep.

Either because of my curiosity or my subconscious desire to vent out, I changed my destination, heading for daddy.

While approaching, I could faintly make out the reflection of his face through the window. His eyes had no spirit within them, having lost their former lustre to the sorrow of partings. His chestnut hair was long and messy, with a stub of a beard forming on his face.

Looking at him, my heart felt heavy.

At the same time, he could do the same. He blinked twice before turning back as he spoke in a cheerful voice, “Princess, you’re back! So, how did it go?”

The lively expression on his face right now, when compared with one of immense sorrow earlier, didn't feel like they came from the same person at all, making his smile feel all the more artificial. Not pointing this out, I decided to play along.

While detaching my expression from my thoughts, I said, “It was okay.”

“Oh? Did something happen?”

“Nothing much. I asked him to go for a run. Then after that he asked me to spar with him.”

“Did he now? Haha. So, did you agree?”

I shook my head in denial while adding, “He seemed super hardworking, unlike from before he lost his memories.”

“That… is true, now you mention. I wonder why? But it’s also good this way, no?”

“Maybe.” I gave an innocent-sounding reply while rolling my eyes inwardly. Daddy, both you and that idiot are the same. Wearing a mask and not letting your true selves out. But I can’t really criticise it. I was the same. But don’t worry, that old man with white robes will come to fix you up in a few seasons or something. You’ll be good as before then.

Thinking about the short duration I had to wait for daddy to get better, a genuine smile spread on my face.

However, happiness is short-lived. My uncaring father made an audible sniffing sound.

The thoughts in my mind crumbled in an instant. I was aware of what was to come. My hand raised to stop him while I was about to scream out to save myself from embarrassment.

Unfortunately, my reaction was a tad too late.

“Princess, do you smell something?”

“….”

“I think the smell is coming from you.”

Of course! I’m sweaty! And don’t make fun of it!

“….”

“….”

An awkward silence filled the room. I stayed silent while stewing in anger while daddy, feeling my emotions through my expression, stayed silent because of the blunder he had made.

In the end, daddy sighed while saying, “You should go take a bathe.”

You bet I would now. Damn it!

I nodded in silent affirmation externally before leaving without saying a single word.

After heading to my room to pick up my towel and clothes, I went straight to take a bath.

With water running over my skin, my thoughts seem to clear up. Recalling the events that transpired today, the glint in Zack’s eye which I had dismissed came to my mind. A tired smile flashed on my face.

What would you have done in this situation, Mr. Kaiser?

Meanwhile, Back at the cottage.

Zack picked up a cloth to wipe the sweat off his skin. His black pupil gazed at the cloth in his hand blankly, wiping the sweat off of his skin.

‘She is right. What am I doing… and why I am doing it. I should take note of that. And, I think I know the answer. I… just need some time to think about it. Whatever, I have to go exercise later to defeat Samuel. Better read a book to cool my head while resting, in case I mess up because I got distracted.’

Finishing my train of thoughts, I heaved a sigh. Throwing the cloth in my hand away, I walked to the study while buttoning back my shirt.

Sinking into my chair, I picked up what came to my hand first. It happened to be the age old classic, >. Nodding my head, I continued to read the story where I left off the last time.